UC Merced goes online through spring semester
Effective March 30, UC Merced students returning from spring break will receive all instruction remotely, the university announced Monday.
The change follows state and national recommendations of social distancing to impede the coronavirus pandemic’s rapid spread.
The announcement means all types of instruction and assessments will be moved to “distance delivery” for the remainder of spring semester.
A UC Merced undergraduate student showed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 Monday. The student is self-quarantined while awaiting test results by the end of the week.
“We are called upon to uphold and value the dignity of every single person on this campus and this is the time that really tests that,” Interim Chancellor Nathan Brostrom said during a recent COVID-19 webinar, according to a UC Merced article.
Zoom, an online communication and collaboration tool that can facilitate online classes, is the suggested means to facilitate instruction going forward. Up to 300 individuals can participate in a session.
Attendance for in-person classes was optional this week on account of several students not being able to return to campus after leaving Merced County over the weekend.
UC Merced students living on campus have the option to move out. Those moving out will receive reimbursements, while those staying will have continued access to dining, health services, academic tutoring, advising and public safety services.
All upcoming events with more than 10 individuals are canceled or postponed. An updated list of affected events is available here.
The university has not yet put out a statement regarding spring commencement, scheduled for May 16 and 17. UC Irvine announced last week that its June graduation ceremony is canceled.
As of Tuesday, March 17, no one in Merced County has tested positive for coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 8:07 PM.
